This article comes from Citizen Times.

Going to overnight camp for the first time can be an intimidating and even scary prospect for children. But the homesickness kids might feel in the first few days of their camp experience isn't unlike situations older children and even adults face every day.

“The term ‘homesickness' is really a misnomer,” said Jon Brooks, associate director of Camp Rockmont for Boys in Swannanoa. “Anxiety about camp is quite normal, even for veteran campers. It's rooted in the same anxiety that we often feel in any new and unfamiliar circumstance where we don't know the faces, the surroundings or the routine.”

Even though anxiety is normal, there are ways to help young campers feel more excitement than fear as they embark on a new adventure. At the top of the list: “Avoid the pickup deal,” Brooks said.

“Any well-meaning promise that the parent will come get their child if they start to feel uneasy not only undermines the important work that camp counselors are trained to do, it also sends the message to the child that the parent really doesn't have confidence that they can work through their uneasy feelings,” he said.

“Parents should give reassurance that they know their child can make the adjustment to the new surroundings — and they can,” Brooks added. “Helping a camper grow through that adjustment is actually a key component of youth development at Rockmont, and it has wonderful, far-reaching effects.”

Christine E. Le Clair, director of program and camp with the Pisgah Girl Scout Council, said parents are often tempted to tell their young scouts that that they will come and get them if they get really homesick.

“But what they are really saying is, ‘I expect you to get homesick,'” she said. “We advise them to say instead, ‘Being at camp is going to be different, and you may even be nervous sometimes. But I know you will make it, and your counselors will be there to help you when you need them.'”

Marisa Pharr, who, with her husband, Yates Pharr, owns Falling Creek Camp for Boys in Henderson County, agreed that teaching a child to work through his feelings is one of the great opportunities the camp experience offers.

“They are given a chance to work on building self-esteem and confidence, and they can't do that if the parent rescues them,” she said.

Erica Rohrbacher, Southeastern section executive for the American Camp Association, said one way parents can reduce anxiety for first-time campers is to involve the child in the process of choosing a camp.

“The more that the child owns the decision, the more comfortable the child will feel,” she said. “Parents should discuss what camp will be like, and help their child develop realistic expectations.”

“As a parent, you have the final say in the camp your child attends,” Marisa Pharr said. “But let them be involved in choosing as much as possible. They'll be excited, and won't feel like you are ‘shipping them off.'”

Letters from home

Once kids are at camp, a big no-no for parents — who may experience their own homesickness for the camper — is writing letters saying how much they miss the child.

“Parents should focus on the child's activities and experiences rather than what they may be missing at home,” Brooks said. “They should avoid overstating how much they miss the child or how sad the family is without them. Engaging and encouraging letters are best.”

Brooks said the best tool he's seen for coaching first-time campers and parents is a DVD produced by Dr. Christopher Thurber.

“Dr. Thurber is a board-certified clinical psychologist, author, consultant and father with years of personal camp experience,” Brooks said. “This lighthearted DVD helps normalize the feelings that a camper may have, and lays excellent groundwork before the camp experience.”

Pharr said when her own kids are at camp she sends letters with positive, fill-in-the-blank questions such as “My best meal at camp so far has been…., or “This is a picture of me at my favorite activity.”

“They can respond right on the letter I sent and mail it back,” she said. “This optimistic view of camp is helpful, especially during a quieter time of the day, like rest hour, when campers' thoughts turn to things they miss at home.”

Preparing for camp

Le Clair said it is helpful for parents to put common questions on the table for discussion before camp begins. Among them might be: “What if I wet the bed?” “What if no one likes me?” “What if I don't like the food?” “What if I get sick?” “What if I really miss you?” “What if I'm scared of bugs?”

It's also important to talk about what it will be like at camp, she said, including group living, taking care of oneself and belongings, noises at night, doing chores, using the buddy system and wearing socks and closed toe-and-heel shoes.

Rare is the camper who doesn't make the transition from anxiety to adventure in less than a couple of days, camp leaders said.

“It's not always missing the parent that makes a child homesick,” Pharr said. “They can miss playing electronic games, watching TV and going to the fridge to get a soda whenever they want — the stuff of their normal day. But once they start making friends and getting involved in camp, those feelings fade,” she said. “Participating in activities that they don't often have a chance to do at home begins to fill their days.”

This article comes from Ohio.com.

One of our campers Justin is loving his backpack.  He took it to school today and sent this photo.  Thanks Justin!

The American Camping Association has released research showing how important summer camp is for kids.  It's something we at Wewabeca already know very well.  Check out the full article here.

"At camp, children have a good time and, more importantly, experience successes that promote self-confidence and future academic growth," said Sari VanOtegham, president of ACA Northern California. "The camp environment helps kids grow and learn in ways that will serve them for their entire lives. Camp can have a positive effect on children for the long term."

"And, while some people might think camp is a privilege, research shows that all children benefit from the experience," VanOtegham added. In independent research published by the ACA, campers report significant growth in several areas, including leadership, independence, values, decision-making skills and the ability to make friends. The research also shows that children maintain these gains after the summer camp experience. (Source: The Youth Development Outcomes of the Camp Experience research project, 2005. Conducted by the American Camp Association in collaboration with Philliber Research Associates and supported in part by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.)

This article is from the great campinsider.com.  Sending your children to camp instead of taking the family vacation seems to be the popular option in economic downturns.

You’ve heard it before: Summer camps have limited enrollment and space and fills up fast, so you better sign up soon. Sometimes this sounds like a sales pitch more than anything else. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. But the truth is, most of the popular camps fill up much faster than the others, and they are indeed limited by space.

It’s kind of like an airplane: When the last seat is gone, it’s gone for good. They can’t just add more seats to accommodate you.

And here’s a tidbit about camp enrollment more relevant now than ever: Camps generally fill up even faster than usual in weak economic conditions.

It sounds like an oxymoron, but camp enrollment often thrives in a weak economy. Even though parents will generally cut back on everything they view as non-essential, history shows us that the very last items they’ll slash from the family budget are products and services for their kids.

That means in poor economic conditions like these, mom and dad might decide against spending $10,000 for a family vacation. But they'll still shell out $2,500 to send their kids to camp.

During the recession of the early 1990’s, camp enrollment was impacted across the board. This phenomenon – higher enrollment in a weaker economy – can largely be attributed to the many families who'd have otherwise taken a family vacation, but with less discretionary income stayed home, thereby increasing their childcare and summer camp needs and filling camps to the brim.

Sending your children to summer camp in any economy is often viewed by parents as the American way of life. What does this mean for consumers?

Simply this: you might want to start looking for summer camps even earlier than usual this year if you want to get in to the camp of your choice. Most popular camps often fill up by April, but it could happen even earlier for this year given the economy. If you wait too long to register, it might be too late. Imagine having to tell your child they can't get into the camp of their choice because you waited too long to sign up.

This article comes from bankrate.com. 

Check into financial aid

Of the 2,400 camps accredited by the ACA, 95 percent offer "camperships," or scholarships ranging from discounts to free tuition, according to Smith. That's an increase from about 75 percent a decade ago.

Baby boomers have contributed to the campership boom, with memories of positive camp experiences motivating them to contribute at levels that have filled foundation coffers.

As a parent, it's important to ask about these scholarship opportunities.

"You want to be a good consumer," Smith says. "I think it's just fair for a parent to say, 'What sort of financial assistance do you provide?' It's true that camperships are usually awarded based on need, but parents shouldn't automatically assume that their income level doesn't meet that."

Wewabeca offers financial aid - check the site or contact us to find out more.

Add a child

If you send more than one child to camp, you're likely to get a discount. Sibling discounts can knock anywhere from 5 percent to 15 percent off the tuition cost, says Jeff Solomon, executive director of the National Camp Association.

For example, at Coleman Country Day Camp in New York, families can save $50 to $100 for a second child and $100 to $200 for a third child, depending on the session length.

Wewabeca offers $50 off for an additional child and $75 for a third child.  If you've got four kids within the 3rd grade to 8th grade span, congratulations.  Call us to work out a deal.

Be an early bird

Early enrollment increases the odds of landing your child's first camp choice. It can also net you a deal on the overall camp cost.

Parents at Cheley Colorado Camps can avoid next year's tuition increase by signing up for a summer 2009 session at the end of this year's summer camp.

Early enrollment can also put you first in line to be considered for a scholarship, Smith says.

Wewabeca offers $50 off for those registering before March 15th.

Try to stay in the area

A plane ride or train trip significantly boosts total

However, while geography is important, parents ultimately should choose the camp that is right for their child, Solomon says.

Wewabeca is in Oxford, not far from most places in Michigan - right off I-75.

Resist the urge to splurge

Most camps recommend campers bring items they likely already have, such as flashlights, sleeping backs, rain gear, play clothes, swimming trunks and sports equipment.

So, don't go out and make any special purchases unless you must.

"What you will find is that parents tend to overpurchase," Smith says. "Get the camp list first and then think about the shopping. It's not going out and buying all new clothes."

You'll get a great what-to-bring list from us upon registration.  We've been in camping for a long time and have great advice on what to bring.

Know the refund policy

Sometimes, camp plans don't work out. Smith says parents usually forget to ask about a camp's cancellation policy until they need to use it. Some ACA camps offer a total refund before a certain date; others will only do so in the case of an illness.

Make sure you know the refund policy before you select a camp.

The $100 deposit is non-refundable up to two weeks before camp. In extreme circumstances, just contact us. We're not in this to make money and can be more than reasonable.

Ask others to contribute

More camps are offering gift certificates than ever before. Such certificates are a good option for people looking to give a holiday or birthday gift that lasts into the coming year.

We're happy to offer gift certificates to anyone who'd like one. If your extended family would like to help turn your kids into heroes we'd love to talk to them.

Help the camp (and it'll help you)

Some camps offer discounts to parents who pay the entire tuition bill several months in advance of the camp session date, says George Coleman, chief executive officer of Coleman Country Day Camp in Merrick, N.Y.

"It gives the camp operating funds so they can do their capital project without having to utilize a line of credit with a bank and pay interest on it," Coleman says. "Everyone benefits this way."

Some camps also cut costs for the children of alumni.

As a first year camp we don't have these policies in place, but they're certain to be part of our operation next summer.

Consider the payment option

Paying camp costs in installments could make the price more palatable.

"If they find a camp they really like, they should ask the camp director, 'What are my options?'" says Cheley. "Most of them will work with you to make sure that child has the experience."

Wewabeca is happy to set up a payment plan for you if that helps get your children to camp.

Create a 'canteen fund'

Prepare a "canteen fund" that will provide a child with money to purchase snacks, hygiene products, bug spray, batteries and other items.

Not only can this help you keep better track of camp costs, but it can teach your kids to budget their money, Smith says.

Your child will not need any money at camp.  We supply everything they need.

This information is from an article on articlebase.com.  You can read the whole thing by clicking here.

In general, summer camps have high operating costs that need to be covered in order to maximize your child’s safety and fun. When you pay a little more for camp, the camp can be extremely selective in the staff it hires and pay its camp counselors more than they'd make elsewhere, plus it allows the camp to purchase and share with your child the highest-end (best quality) equipment and supplies.

You can’t put a price tag on safety, supervision and fun for your child!

But that’s not all. We haven’t even discussed insurance premiums, advertising, transportation, and other many other costs camps incur to deliver an industry-best-practice camp experience for your child.

So here's an answer from the Summer Camp Blog:

When you think about summer camp, "affordable" might not be the first thought that comes to mind. If you're a parent concerned about money and how you're going to afford camp for your kids this year and have something of value to trade, you might check with the camp director to see about bartering.

Camps are always looking for ways to save money. Bartering is a win-win for both parties

Maybe you run an advertising agency and have two kids you'd like to send to camp. You might be able to provide advertising services to the camp in exchange for a fun camp experience for your kids.

One camp we know of in Los Angeles needed a camp nurse. The nurse worked at the camp during the summer and her kids went to camp in return.

The best way to start is to consider what you might have to offer the camp, then pitch your idea to the director. You might be pleasantly surprised what you find out!

Tonight was the "welcome to the world" night for Camp Wewabeca.  We held our first fundraising event and published the website.  Plenty of people were out for dinner and we raised a great amount for sending kids to camp.  One of the most important things for us to do at this stage is to raise money for the kids who can't afford camp.  We pride ourselves on the diversity at camp and this is the way to do it.

So thank you to everyone that donated.  We'll be back in the spring.  I'll leave you with a video of Adam on the grill.

With Halloween behind us, it is a perfect time to purchase costumes for summer camp.  We went to a couple of Halloween stores today in preparation for the Medieval storyline at camp this summer.  At 50% off, it's a bargain.  Karen is a big fan of Halloween and happily modeled the costumes for us.